FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) Arkansas has dismissed forward Gabe Osabuohien from the men's basketball program.

Coach Eric Musselman announced the move Thursday without disclosing the reason.

"We have set a level of expectations for our student-athletes on and off the court," Musselman said. "After discussions with Gabe, it was decided that it would be best to part ways. We thank him for his time at Arkansas and wish him well."

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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) The arbitrator in the dispute between UConn and Kevin Ollie has ruled that the former basketball coach is protected by a union contract when it comes to the standard the school must meet in proving his firing was justified.

The collective bargaining agreement between the school and the American Association of University Professors, of which Ollie is a member, requires a showing of serious misconduct in order to fire an employee for "just cause" and also affords Ollie other union protections

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The NCAA has backtracked on new certification standards and will no longer require a bachelor's degree for a sports agent to represent Division I men's basketball players who declare for the NBA draft while maintaining college eligibility.

The requirement drew criticism last week when the certification standards were revealed, including a social media blast by NBA star LeBron James. The requirement was quickly dubbed the "Rich Paul Rule" in reference to James' agent, who does not have a college degree.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Former NBA stars Penny Hardaway and Jerry Stackhouse have taken on new challenges with both trying to revive a pair of struggling college basketball programs about 200 miles apart along Interstate 40 in Tennessee.

Hardaway played 14 seasons in the NBA and is embarking on his second season at his alma in Memphis. Stackhouse, now at Vanderbilt, lasted 18 years league before the former North Carolina star's tenure coaching in the G League and a season as an assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies.

FLINT, Mich. (AP) An attorney for former Michigan State basketball star Mateen Cleaves says during his trial on sexual assault charges that consensual sex between two adults is not a crime.

Defense attorney Frank Manley made the comment Thursday in an opening statement in Cleaves' trial in Genesee County Circuit Court. Manley said the alleged victim was in a Flint area motel room with Cleaves in September 2015 "of her own free will."

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Memphis has hired Laird Veatch to fill its athletic director vacancy.

Veatch has spent the last two years as Florida's executive associate athletics director for internal affairs. He is replacing Tom Bowen, who stepped down in May after holding the position for seven years. Allie Prescott had been Memphis' interim athletic director since Bowen's departure.

STORRS, Conn. (AP) UConn has added a late recruit to its basketball roster, announcing forward Richard Springs enrolled at the school.

Springs is a 6-foot-9 power forward from Brooklyn, New York. He graduated this spring from the MacDuffie School in Granby, Massachusetts.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) During his first year on the job, new Wake Forest athletic director John Currie wants to keep the momentum going with the Demon Deacons on a roll.

Wake Forest is coming off its best finish in the Director's Cup in more than a decade. New buildings have opened up across campus.

LAS VEGAS (AP) Gregg Popovich somehow only met Mike Krzyzewski for the first time about four years ago, when the two coaching greats saw their paths finally cross when they were together at a USA Basketball event.

They're a whole lot closer now.